Wellesley College: Current Scholarshttp://www.wellesley.edu/admission/esp/international/mcf/scholars
enhttp://www.wellesley.edu/admission/esp/international/mcf/scholars/node/36423
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<p class="introText">Wellesley welcomes new MasterCard Foundation Scholars</p>
<p><em>Above photo: Scholars show their pride during the MasterCard Foundation Day of Service</em></p>
<h3>The following MasterCard Foundation Scholars have joined the Class of 2020</h3>
<p><strong>Dagmawit Libanos Assefa ’20, who invented a rocket propulsion system, continues her love and curiosity of and commitment to science</strong></p>
<p>Dagmawit, who was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attended the Lideta Catholic Cathedral School. Committed to intellectual curiosity, science—particularly physics and mathematics—and research are important to her. Her love and curiosity of this field grew as she progressed through secondary school, and at Lideta she invented a rocket propulsion system. She feels that her passion for physics and science education will help her to effect change in her country, and that opportunities at Wellesley will support her desire to assume her responsibility to society.</p>
<p><strong>Christine Oginga ’20, a geography aficionado, hopes to ultimately effect change in Kenyan education initiatives</strong></p>
<p>From Kisumu, Kenya, Christine Oginga's outstanding academic performance led her to a scholarship to the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, which recognizes students with gifted leadership potential. At Wellesley, Christine is undecided about her major but plans to focus on human or urban issues, and further pursue her interest in cinema and media studies as well as theatre arts. After graduating from Wellesley, her goal is to provide quality education to talented students from a lower economic background, as well as influence change in Kenyan education initiatives.</p>
<p><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/assets/departments/admission/images/profile-images/sandraohemeng_0.jpg" style="width: 230px; margin: 10px; float: left; height: 230px;" />Sandra Amponsah Ohemeng ’20 remains passionate about the combination of education and healthcare</strong></p>
<p>Sandra, who is from Konogo, Ghana, attended Yaa Asantewaa Girls' Senior High School in Ghana, a school established by the Ghanaian President to inspire excellence in young women who wish to become leaders in their community and in Ghana. After witnessing a teacher’s epileptic seizure and resulting mistreatment due to misinformation, Sandra researched this neurological disorder, as well as cofounded the Premiere Youth Network, which advocated for youth to engage in community building. She is passionate about the combination of education and healthcare and aspires to be a medical doctor who is a change-maker for her home country.</p>
<h3>Class of 2019 MasterCard Foundation Scholars</h3>
<p><strong>Nomaqhawe “Gwen” Ncube ’19, envisions herself as a vocal proponent of educational access in Zimbabwe, particularly for girls, and an advocate for women’s rights</strong></p>
<p>Nomaqhawe “Gwen” Ncube ’19, who attended Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, excelled in science, in part because she enjoyed proving her teachers wrong by succeeding in traditionally male fields. What started out as a practical reason has become a true passion for Gwen, and she looks forward to studying science in conjunction with social sciences in preparation for returning to Zimbabwe to improve the lives of her countrymen. She envisions herself as a vocal proponent of educational access in Zimbabwe, particularly for girls, and an advocate for women’s rights.</p>
<p><strong>Halle Rubera ’19 hopes to combine her interests in computer science and international relations</strong></p>
<p>Halle Rubera ’19 is a Rwandan citizen who graduated from the Kenya High School in Nairobi. She led several debate teams to the national championship and speaks five languages including English, French, Swahili and the native language of Kinyarwanda. After college graduation, Halle dreams of combining her interests in computer science and international relations. She’s also interested in social justice. One of her goals is to create computer applications that can provide students with high-quality learning—something that would benefit schoolchildren in many parts of Africa today. </p>
<p><strong>Belyse Inamahoro ’19 aspires to become a journalist—to both inform and engage the community and to empower youth</strong></p>
<p>Belyse Inamahoro ’19, a citizen of Burundi, attended schools in Burundi and Rwanda, and participated in the Bridge2Rwanda Scholars Program. Her college counselor said, “I will not be surprised if Belyse is Burundi’s president or first lady one day; her poise and beauty on both the inside and out sparkle like a precious gem.” At Wellesley, Belyse wants to study media arts and sciences and work at the Wellesley’s Children’s Center. Her goal is to become a journalist, as she sees the media as a way to both inform and engage the community as well as to empower youth. Her long-term dream is to be able to create a media medium that provides women and children with a place to express themselves, learn from their struggles, and supplement their education.</p>
<p><strong>Ngina Kariuki</strong><strong> ’19 has an interest in using technological innovation in the farming industry, especially in rural communities</strong></p>
<p>Ngina Kariuki ’19, who lives on the edge of Nairobi, graduated from Maryhill Girls’ High School in Thika, Kenya. There, in addition to being named valedictorian, she earned numerous awards in national math and science competitions. Ngina is passionate about women's rights and hopes that soon families in her home country will celebrate their daughters' academic success in the same way they celebrate marriages. However, she believes that addressing poverty is a necessary first step toward this goal, and hopes that technology will offer opportunities in vocational training and education access. Ngina has a particular interest in using technological innovation in the farming industry, especially in rural communities. She hopes to pursue computer science or environmental studies in college and would also like to study another language.</p>
<h3>Class of 2018 MasterCard Foundation Scholars</h3>
<p><img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="/sites/default/files/assets/departments/admission/images/profile-images/mcf2018img_0015.jpg" style="width: 520px; height: 266px; float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" /><em>From the Class of 2018: Mebatsion Gebre, Sarah Nzau, and Lisa Luka from Zimbabwe.</em></p>
<p><strong>Mebatsion (“Meba”) Gebre ’18 hopes to help Ethiopians learn how to use energy resources more effectively</strong></p>
<p>Mebatsion (“Meba”) Gebre ’18 comes from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There she won a highly competitive scholarship to the International Community School of Addis Ababa, where she spent her high school years. She was involved with a number of activities, including theater and Model Union. Meba plans to pursue chemistry, astronomy, and engineering while at Wellesley with the goal of returning to Ethiopia to work in the energy sector. She believes Wellesley will help her “aim higher” in her life goals and inspire her to do great things.</p>
<p><strong>Lisa Luka '18 would like to become a neurosurgeon and hopes to work with UN charities</strong></p>
<p>Lisa Luka ’18 lives in Harare, Zimbabwe. A standout high school student, Lisa attended the Hellenic International Academy, where she won the Resolve and Determination Award. Her gift for mathematics made her a valuable member of the school quiz team and science Olympiad team. She wants to become a neurosurgeon, as she is fascinated by biology and the way that biology and chemistry labs are designed. Lisa also hopes to work with United Nations charities and employ her research abilities to work for cures for AIDS, cancers, and other life-threatening diseases around the world. </p>
<p><strong>Sarah Nzau '18 plans to study biochemistry and return to Kenya to work in the pharmaceutical industry</strong></p>
<p>Sarah Nzau ’18 is from Mombasa, Kenya. She graduated from Memon High School in 2013 and placed 25th in the nation on the countrywide KCSE exams. After graduating, she completed a year-long internship with the Equity Bank of Kenya, one of the largest banks on the continent. Sarah plans to study biochemistry at Wellesley with an interest in chemical engineering. Ultimately, she wants to return to Kenya to work in the pharmaceutical industry while promoting the importance of female leadership.</p>
<h3>Class of 2017 MasterCard Foundation Scholars</h3>
<p><img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="/sites/default/files/assets/departments/admission/images/profile-images/khalayi_martha_aywa_2image.jpg" style="width: 230px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; float: left; height: 230px;" /><strong>Martha Khalayi Aywa '17 hopes to improve access to healthcare in Kenya</strong></p>
<p>Martha Khalayi, a MasterCard Foundation Scholar from Emmabwi, Kenya, graduated from Moi Girls High School. Her future goal is to improve access to healthcare for people in need. The closest hospital near her home is 20 kilometers sway. "From my summer internship, I feel even more interested in healthcare access, especially for people with lower incomes and lower knowledge levels. I plan to get more exposure in the healthcare and research field."</p>
<div>As a sophomore at Wellesley, she is interested in Spanish, biology, and chemistry—two of which will be her majors, and she hopes to travel to Latin America or Spain for an immersion program. "I am pursuing my interest in other cultures by talking to people about their cultures and sharing mine, as well as by studying Spanish, which I really enjoy. As a member of the Slater International Organization, I get to meet people from different countries and states and learn more about their cultures. I also enjoy service and have been on service project trips to New York and New Orleans, where I also got to explore these US cities and their rich cultures." </div>
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<p><img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="/sites/default/files/assets/departments/admission/images/profile-images/refilwe_mashadi_kekana.jpg" style="width: 230px; height: 230px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; float: left;" /><strong>Refilwe Kotane '17 aims to be among South Africa's strong-willed female leaders</strong></p>
<p>MasterCard Foundation Scholar Refilwe hails from Pretoria, South Africa. At school she was a debater, an athlete, and the president of the Generation Earth Club. Refilwe, who was particularly attracted to Wellesley because of the College's history of developing female leaders, wrote, "South Africa is ready for strong-willed, innovative female leadership, and I am confident that with the right undergraduate education, I will be able to claim this responsibility."</p>
<p>Now a sophomore, she says, "I am now set on majoring in neuroscience and minoring in philosophy. Furthermore, I am interested in pharmaceuticals and business, and would like to work in the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa. Also, because of the great professors at Wellesley, I have taken a special interest of philosophy, especially philosophy of the mind.</p>
<p>"What I might tell prospective MasterCard applicants is that being a MasterCard student at Wellesley provides the unique opportunity to be a part of a small community of extremely driven individuals who use their diverse experiences and passion for the betterment of the African continent to excel academically and in other parts of their lives." Photo: <em>Refilwe with her friend Mashadi Kekana (left), a Wellesley sophomore from South Africa who is majoring in psychology.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wellesley.edu/news/2013/12/node/40762" style="text-align: center;">Martha and Refilwe reflect on their first semester at Wellesley</a><span style="text-align: center;">.</span></p>
<p><em>Wellesley looks forward to welcoming these promising, talented young African women to Wellesley, where they will pursue their intellectual passions and curiosities through a liberal arts education. We will ask them to think critically about the needs of Africa and how they can make a difference. Beyond the classroom, students will have the chance to develop their leadership skills through participation in student organizations, service projects, and internships. They will emerge with the expertise and preparation to become the future women leaders on the continent of Africa.</em></p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-media-url-612x340 field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-media-file-612x340 field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div>Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:15:00 +0000jkyricos36423 at http://www.wellesley.eduhttp://www.wellesley.edu/admission/esp/international/mcf/scholars/node/36423#comments